Furner was the college's alpha male, a football prodigy rated so highly he was given permission to practise his goalkicking during class hours. Maguire was far more softly spoken and before his dedication in the school gym paid off, he was a 16Bs player and a halfback.

In his final year, 1991, he matured into a big, strong centre.

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But while they were different in many respects Rex Purcell, who coached both at the school, said the trait they had in common was an uncompromising will to succeed.

''Dave was a bit of a larrikin until he got on the field, but then unbelievably focused on what he had to do,'' Purcell said.

''He played in the centres, fullback or five-eighth, but when he went to league he went into the forward pack. Dave was more of a leader on the field with his talking, but Maguire was quietly determined as well. They were very different players, and very different people.''

''Madge [Maguire] was a very disciplined and pretty academic kid. He was a good student who worked hard, and he probably got that work ethic from his taxi-driver dad. He knew that to do well, you've got to do things properly,'' Hawke said.

''Madge wasn't the most talented footballer in the world, he was one of those guys who know that you have to persevere with, and in that sense he and Dave are a bit alike. They were both really committed to their physical development. By the end of school, they were pretty impressive looking kids.''

Purcell and Hawke both said the college considered it a badge of honour three of its former students - Furner, Maguire and Ricky Stuart - will be NRL head coaches next year.

''St Eddies has produced three great rugby league coaches, which is interesting because we play rugby union,'' Purcell said.

''They have three out of 16 [NRL coaches] all out of the same school is quite amazing. Obviously being a Canberra person I'll be supporting the Raiders, but I guess I'm a winner either way.''